Dental Students’ Viewpoints on Traditional Medicine Course After Presenting For the First Time in Iran

Background: the traditional medicine is an integral part of the iranian culture. since birjand dental school presented traditional medicine course for dental students for the first time in iran, this study aimed to evaluate dental students' viewpoints about traditional medicine course. methods: after approving optional traditional medicine course for dental students in birjand university of medical sciences, birjand dentistry students' viewpoints were evaluated in two separate semesters through an open ended questionnaire which its validity and reliability were confirmed. the questionnaire was designed on a five-point likert scale. the mean of scores for each question and the mean of student scores on all 16 questions were calculated and through comparing with median, positive or negative viewpoints were valuated. results: in the first and second runs of course, only two questions (teachers' mastery on the content and student satisfaction from final exam) scored above the median. in the first run of the course and totally in” student's willingness to repass course” the students acquired the least score. all of mean students’ score for sum of 16 questions were less than 3 in two runs of the course. students were generally dissatisfied with the inappropriate timing of classes, the high amounts of content, the impracticality of the subjects, and the lack of relevance to the field of dentistry. conclusion: all dentistry students had negative viewpoints to traditional medicine course in this form. it is recommended that it should be provided to dental students in a more practical way and as workshops.